While the rest of Los Angeles has seemingly become overrun with prepackaged pop starlets and post-post-punk bands, young singer/songwriter Jeremy Jay has emerged from his hometown's music scene with a refreshingly lo-fi, indie-pop sound that is more influenced by Fifties rock 'n 'roll idols than television's "American Idol."
Jeremy Jay and We Are Good Friends will play at 8 p.m. tonight at The Conservatory, 8911 N. Western. Tickets are $6 for the show.
Citing inspiration from legends like Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and Françoise Hardy, Jay showcases his dual love of oldies and French pop on his recently released debut full-length album, "A Place Where We Can Go."
"'A Place Where We Can Go' is a kind of looking-back record to me," Jay said. "It introduces myself and it's laying the groundwork for the future, basically. Within that groundwork are my ideas, my thoughts and my writings about how I want to live, how I want to fulfill my dreams and what things I want to do and think about."
FRENCH MOTHER
Part of that includes being raised in California by a Swiss mother who primarily spoke French.
"French was my first language until I was 13 years old," he said. "I had to speak French in the house, even though when I went to school, I spoke English. In retrospect, it's awesome. I love French language and I love French sensibilities."
With an extensive six-month tour in support of his new release ahead of him, the prolific performer is finishing work on another album, entitled "Galaxy Express," which will be made available exclusively at his upcoming gigs, and he plans to record another record while he is touring.
"We're always recording," he said. "I book studio time periodically while we're touring, so we're pretty active. We record all the time." "Lucas Ross
